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- Principals Report Week 2 Term 1
- Protective Behaviours - Early warning signs
- School Counselling Service
- Religious Education News
- SZapp subscriptions - please update
- 2021 Term Dates
- Dates for Your Diary
- Gelato Day – Tuesday February 23rd
- Clothing Pool Open during School Hours
- Rosary Community Council 2021
- Rosary Rugby
- Rosary OSHClub
- Extracurricular Activities at Rosary
- Artkids
- Girl Guides
- Australian Girls Choir – Canberra Open Day
- Merici College Enrolling Now
- Positive Partnerships
- Parentline ACT Free Telephone and Face-to-Face/Zoom Counselling Services
- Hand Washing Poster
- Coughing and Sneezing Etiquette Poster
- SZapp Download Instructions
Principals Report Week 2 Term 1
Dear Parents and Friends,
The Opening School Mass, which took place last Friday, celebrated a wonderful start to the school year. It was a true blessing to be able to start this year together in this way and I thank parents and other family members who came along to celebrate this special Mass with us. The children’s participation was impressive; especially considering the fact that we have not been able to gather together in the church as a school community for close to a year! All the staff were so very proud of their highly commendable reverent behaviour. This was the first experience of a school Mass for our Kindergarten students and they did exceptionally well throughout as they sat with their Year 6 buddies who were excellent models of behaviour for them. Special thanks to Father Mannes for welcoming and blessing us all.
Ash Wednesday Mass
The next opportunity for us to gather at Mass will be on Ash Wednesday – 17th February at 10am. This is a designated Kinder rest day but the Kinder students and their parents are very welcome to join us. I have confirmed that parents will be able to attend this school Mass as parishioners are being encouraged to attend alternative Masses on the day to assist with maintaining the spatial restrictions. Please be aware that the Archbishop has advised that the ashes will not be marked on the forehead this year but will instead be sprinkled on the head which “is a venerable liturgical alternative” as approved by the Holy See.
Welcome BBQ
Thank you to everyone who came along to the Welcome BBQ yesterday afternoon. It was lovely to be able to hold this event again this year and so very nice to see parents and staff relaxing and enjoying one another’s company and children enjoying the play spaces in the mild evening weather. Special thanks to Jackie Brady and the team of Year 6 parents and the front office staff for all their hard work and to the Community Council for hosting the Welcome BBQ.
Medication at School
Should your child require medication to be administered during the day, a Request to Dispense Medication at School 2021 form must be completed (available on the website). The medication must be provided in its original packaging, including any prescription labels (if applicable). The medication and form must be taken to the front office. The central storage area for medications is in the sick bay where there is a fridge and a medicine dispensing register that must be filled out by the appropriate staff member whenever medication is administered. The only medication that may be kept with the child is an asthma inhaler.
Allergies and Anaphylaxis
As there are children enrolled at Rosary who have allergies to a variety of substances, we ask that children do not share food or buy food for one another at school. We appreciate your support in especially avoiding sending any foods that contain nuts. A few children may experience very serious and even life-threatening symptoms if exposed to certain foods.
Car Park Safety
Please be aware that the speed limit in the car park is 5k/ph. Students who leave vehicles which are parked in marked bays need to be accompanied across the car park by an adult to enter through the gates to be supervised in the quad in the morning. Likewise, students need to be collected by an adult from inside the quad and then supervised all the way to parked vehicles at dismissal time in the afternoon. For safety reasons, students are not permitted to wait in any locations other than the quadrangle to be collected in the afternoon.
I ask that drivers also resist the temptation to park alongside the kerb in front of the gates on the basketball court as this is a drop off zone only in the morning. Parking is not permitted along this kerb in the afternoon unless there is a medical reason or there is a baby asleep in the vehicle.
I ask all drivers to be mindful of the car park rules and to adhere to them on every occasion for the safety of the children and all others in our community.
Cybersafety
Keeping safe online is a very important and highly relevant topic for all of us in the digitally connected world in which we now live. At Rosary, the teachers are always looking for ways to instruct students about cybersafety and there are many worthwhile digital resources available to them. The ones we have used at Rosary include ‘thinkuknow’ and the Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s digital licence. We also have the AFP come in and address the students. This week, the school participated in Safer Internet Day during the class library sessions. Year 5 will be completing digital licensing as part of their homework so that parents can be involved. Each Yr 5 cohort completes this on entry to the iPad program. At the beginning of each year, students sign an acceptable use agreement for ICT which is discussed with their parents and discussed in class. Students are trained to shut down their screens and report anything that may appear that makes them feel uncomfortable or that they know to be inappropriate. Our internet is filtered by the Catholic Education Office which provides an added level of security for students using technology at school.
Believe Explore Strive Triumph (BEST)
On Friday, the students will gather in ‘vertical groups’ (mixed ages across the school) in various classrooms to complete special activities related to our first element of our school-wide Vision for Teaching and Learning – ‘Believe’. BEST stands for: Believe, Explore, Strive, Triumph. At the beginning of each term, we explore the respective element to help embed it into the culture of the school, refresh the Vision and keep it uppermost in our minds as we work towards doing our BEST together as a community of learners.
Seeking Landscape Gardeners
I am wondering if there is anyone in our school community who is a landscape gardener who might be willing to provide some advice to the school in this area? If you have experience in this field and would be happy to help, please contact the front office.
Condolences
I extend sincere condolences to the Vu family on the sad passing of Thien’s maternal great-grandfather this week in America. May Ngoan Tran rest now in eternal peace and the family be granted strength and comfort as they mourn his loss with family members across the distance.
________________________________
With every best wish for a lovely St Valentine’s Day on Sunday.
St Valentine is the Patron Saint of engaged couples, bee keepers, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, plague, travellers and young people. He is usually represented in pictures with birds and roses.
Protective Behaviours - Early warning signs
Dear Parents,
This week our students will be learning about Early Warning Signs as part of the Protective Behaviours Program.
Early warning signs are the involuntary physical sensations that take place in our bodies in reaction to potentially unsafe situations. Our early warning signs alert us to danger or threats to our safety. Early warning signs may differ from one person to another, but we all have them. Children can learn to identify their early warning signs. Early warning signs can be fun and enjoyable when we have choice and control over what’s happening to us.
What our bodies say:
- ‘My heart is beating really fast!’
- ‘There are butterflies in my tummy!’
- ‘My legs feel weak and I have jelly knees!’
- ‘My mouth is so dry!’
Other early warning signs can include:
- tight shoulders
- sweaty palms
- red cheeks
- goose bumps
What can parents do?
Talk with your child about what happens in their bodies when they start to feel scared or worried.
What early warning signs (physical sensations) do they feel?
Use examples from your own experiences, e.g. when you’re running late for an appointment.
Watch for times when you think your child may be feeling scared or worried (examples are, high swings, going somewhere new, first day in a new class). Ask them to identify where in their body they can feel their early warning signs. Encourage your child to pay attention to their early warning signs and tell you when and where they happen.
Avoid telling your child not to feel scared, or that they are silly to feel scared. Instead, provide understanding, reassurance and encouragement to problem-solve the situation.
Kind regards,
Julie Godfrey
Coordinator
Hello, my name is Kate Dean and I work for CatholicCare in Canberra, in the Student and Family Counselling Unit. We provide short term counselling for many of Canberra’s Catholic schools as part of the school’s pastoral care program.
I have a master of social work and have many years’ experience working with families and children. I also have three children of my own, aged 10, 14 and 18.
My role is to support the emotional and social wellbeing of students and their families. I offer a professional service and provide a safe space to talk about any issues your child is experiencing.
We see children with difficulties which are just part of normal growing up, as well as issues of concern for either the school, or the family, or the child themselves. It doesn’t have to be a big problem, it is better to get help sooner rather than later. Typical concerns can be fears, anger, relationships with peers, grief, family relationships and family difficulties including parental separation, stress, or anything that is perceived to affect student’s learning or their general well-being.
As well as individual sessions with students during school time I work with families, consult with parents, carers and teachers and may carry out some group work. I may also refer students and families to specialist services and professionals when appropriate.
You can refer your child for counselling by filling in a referral form available on Catholic Care’s website or via a link provided by the school. Or you can follow this link: https://catholiccare.force.com/housing/s/school-referral-form
After you have filled out the referral form you will automatically be sent an email requesting your consent for your child to access our service. In the case of families where parents are separated we normally require the consent of both parents. If this is difficult for you please feel free to discuss with me.
I will be at Rosary every Tuesday and alternate Mondays on even weeks. If you would like to talk to me, please feel welcome to contact me directly through the school when I am attending.
I look forward to working with your child and wish you all a happy and peaceful year.
Kate Dean
Student and Family Counsellor
CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn
Sacramental Programs
The timing for the reception of the Sacraments has been reviewed by Fr Mannes. The Sacrament of First Reconciliation will now be offered to students in Year 3 and First Eucharist will be offered to students in Year 4. Therefore, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will not be offered to students in Year 2 this year.
The Sacrament of First Eucharist will be offered to eligible students in Year 3/4 this year.
Sacramental Program 2021 |
Sacramental Program 2022 |
Year 3/4 Eucharist Year 6 Confirmation
|
Year 3 Reconciliation Year 4 Eucharist Year 6 Confirmation |
Dates will be confirmed.
If any Baptised Catholic students, new to Rosary, have missed out on the opportunity to receive a Sacrament, and wish to do so, please let me know.
Opening School Mass – thank you!
Thank you to all families who attended the Opening School Mass. It is always a beautiful way to come together again as a community and celebrate the Mass.
Ash Wednesday Mass
Ash Wednesday is a holy day of obligation and the students will attend Mass at Holy Rosary Church at 10am. Parents and friends are most welcome!
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. It is a time for spiritual growth and change as Christians make a special effort to be the kind of people God wants them to be. During this time, we model and encourage prayer, going without and helping others.
Year B | Sunday 14th February | green
“The leprosy left him, and he was cured."
Click on the link below to go the readings and activities for this Sunday.
Liz Higgins
Religious Education Coordinator
SZapp subscriptions - please update
Please update your SZapp subscription preferences to ensure you receive communications relevant to your child/ren's current year level. This can be done via the 'Manage' tab within the app.
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter or any notifications from Rosary Primary School, you can select to 'remove subscription' at the bottom of the 'Manage' tab within the app.
The school year is divided into four terms. Term dates for the year 2021 are as follows:
Term 1 (9 weeks) Monday 1 February - Thursday 1 April
Term 2 (10 weeks) Tuesday 20 April - Friday 25 June (Monday 19 April is a system wide Pupil Free Day)
Term 3 (10 weeks) Tuesday 13 July - Friday 17 September (Monday 12 July is a system wide Pupil Free Day)
Term 4 (11 weeks) Monday 5 October – Friday 17 December
We have been able to reinstate most of our events for the 2021 calendar year. However, due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, some events may need to change or be conducted differently. If there are changes, we will advise you as soon as practicable.
- Ash Wednesday Mass - Wednesday 17th February 10:00am (parents welcome)
- Gelato Day - Tuesday 23rd February
- Yr 6 Grade Mass - Thursday 25th February 10:00am (Yr 6 parents welcome)
- Swimming Carnival - Thursday 4th March (registered volunteers only - no spectators)
- Canberra Day Public Holiday - Monday 8th March
Note: Newletters will be distributed on Wednesdays from Week 2
Gelato Day – Tuesday February 23rd
Forms for Gelato Day will be going home with the children this week. Please return the completed form and payment ($2) by next Wednesday, 17th February. Spare forms will be available at the front office.
Clothing Pool Open during School Hours
The Rosary Clothing Pool is open to families to purchase second hand uniform items for $5 per piece. Please note that currently only one family is allowed in the room at any one time and hand sanitisation is required upon entry and exit. A key is available from the front office to access the room during school hours for your convenience.
All new uniform items can be purchased from Personally Yours. They are located at 218 Gladstone St, Fyshwick ACT 2609 and can be contacted on 6280 4166.
The Rosary Community Council Representatives for 2021 are:
Council Chair : | Jackie Brady |
Deputy Chair : | Libby Reardon |
Treasurer : | May Kain |
Secretary : | Lucy Steen |
Parent Representative : | Kate Roggeveen |
Parent Representative : | Raphaela Higginbotham |
Parent Representative : | Rachael Moore |
Staff Representative : | Rachel McKerrow |
Ex Officio : | Parish Priest |
Executive Officer : | Principal/Assistant Principal |
Should you wish to contact the council please email: rosarycouncil@gmail.com
ROSARY RUGBY 2021 SEASON
The 2021 Rugby Season is fast approaching, and the Rosary Rugby Club is welcoming all existing players and any interested players and their families to join our club for the 2021 rugby season!
Rugby gives your children the opportunity to make new friends, stay fit and active, be part of a team and develop life-long skills. Rugby at Rosary is very well regarded by the broader community and has produced current Super Rugby players Mack Hansen and Jordan Jackson-Hope.
In 2021 Rosary Rugby Club will once again field teams in the ACT Junior Rugby Union competition. Games, which are played on Saturday mornings, will commence at the beginning of Term 2. All interested and eligible players are invited to join. Rugby at Rosary includes:
- All boys and girls are welcome;
- NO TACKLING for players in the U7s age group;
- Equal opportunity provided for all players especially beginners in all age groups;
- Fully-supervised training sessions are held on the school oval after school each Wednesday during the season - this means pick-up isn’t required until 4:30pm (wet weather activities take place on rainy days); and
- Players receive free junior membership and entry to Brumbies home games after playing the previous season.
Rosary Rugby Club, established in 1964, is the only stand-alone primary school rugby club in Canberra. A number of our former players have gone on to represent the ACT Brumbies and the Australian Schoolboys rugby teams.
More details regarding a come try day at the school will follow.
For enquiries or more information, please contact: Eamon O’Donoghue (club secretary) on 0406 566 463 or Dave Dwyer (club president) on 0403 977 575.
Extracurricular Activities at Rosary
There are many extracurricular activities available onsite for our Rosary Students. Please note all of these activities attract a fee and are delivered by external providers. Please see the timetable below for details:
- French Lessons - Monday 3.10pm - 4.25pm
- Mandarin Lessons - Tuesday 3.10pm - 4.25pm
- Chess Club - Tuesday 3.10pm - 4.30pm
- Dancecore - Wednesday 1.10pm - 1.50pm
- Tae Kwon-Do - Monday 6.30pm - 8.30pm
- Artkids - Thursday 3.15pm - 5.15pm
- Italian Lessons - Friday 3.10pm - 4.25pm
- Musicorp (various instruments) / Piano Lessons - during class time
Please contact the school if you require further information.
Australian Girls Choir – Canberra Open Day
Look no further than the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) because we encourage, challenge and inspire girls as they learn to sing, dance and perform. School aged girls are invited to come along to our Open Day on Saturday February 20 to try our fun and inclusive classes and learn more about being part of the AGC! Please visit our website to register to attend our free Open Day: https://ausgirlschoir.com.au/febopenday/
NOTICEBOARD